General Manager / Site Director

AWD online; Forest of Dean; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

End‑year performance‑based bonus

Company car

Private medical health scheme

7.5% employer pension contribution

28 days' annual leave

Free lunch on site

Free fresh fruit

Job summary

AWD online seeks a General Manager / Site Director to lead a high‑tech UK R&D and manufacturing site with full P&L accountability and ~£20 million revenue. You will drive strategic direction, operational performance and international expansion within a global group.

The role focuses on leadership across engineering, manufacturing, finance, production, and commercial functions, delivering continuous improvement and strong commercial judgement to enable export-led growth.

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering or similar discipline; MBA or Chartered level qualifications are desirable.
• Senior leadership experience in engineering and/or manufacturing with P&L accountability.
• Strong commercial and international business acumen with export trade knowledge.
• Experience identifying and delivering continuous improvement across operations and project management.
• Inspiring leadership style and ability to develop managers across functions.

Responsibilities

• Site and P&L Leadership: UK R&D/manufacturing operation with full P&L accountability and ~£20m revenue.
• Operational Performance and Change: Implement strategies to improve efficiency and performance.
• Innovation and R&D: Foster high standards of innovation in capital equipment development and manufacture.
• Leadership and Team Development: Coach management and build capability across multiple functions.
• Executive Stakeholder Reporting: Communicate forecasts and financial performance to senior stakeholders.
• Commercial and International Strategy: Guide activity to respond to international markets and trade rules.
• Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence: Support CI across processes and project management.

Skills

Leadership

P&L ownership

Strategic planning

Stakeholder reporting

Continuous improvement

International/Export experience

Education

Engineering degree

MBA

Chartered Engineer

Chartered Manager

Chartered Director

Job description

General Manager / Site Director

Lead a high-tech UK R&D and manufacturing site with full P&L ownership, shaping operational performance, innovation and international growth. This senior opportunity suits an engineering or manufacturing leader with strong commercial and people leadership.

This role is officially known as a Site Director

If you’ve also worked in the following roles, we’d also like to hear from you: Operations Director, Manufacturing Director, Managing Director, Head of Operations, Head of Manufacturing, Plant Director, Plant Manager, Factory Director, Business Unit Director

Successful candidates can expect a strong benefits package, including a performance-based bonus, company car, 28 days’ annual leave plus statutory days, private medical cover and a 7.5% employer pension contribution.

SALARY: Competitive (depending on experience and qualifications) + Generous Benefits (see below)

LOCATION: Hope Valley, Derbyshire

JOB TYPE: Full-Time, Permanent

WORKING HOURS: 37.5 Hours per Week

JOB OVERVIEW

This is an opportunity to shape the performance and future direction of a high-tech UK operation within an international group.

As General Manager / Site Director you will lead a substantial R&D and manufacturing site, owning P&L performance and supporting a large multidisciplinary workforce.

The General Manager / Site Director will drive continuous improvement, innovation and effective leadership across engineering, manufacturing, finance, production and commercial functions.

Working with senior international stakeholders the General Manager / Site Director will combine operational insight with commercial judgement to support export-led growth and changing market demands.

DUTIES

Your duties as the General Manager / Site Director include:

• Site and P&L Leadership: Lead the UK R&D and manufacturing/assembly operation with full P&L accountability, overseeing a substantial workforce and approximately £20 million in revenue

• Operational Performance and Change: Identify improvement opportunities and implement strategies that increase efficiency and operational performance across the business

• Innovation and R&D Environment: Create the conditions for high standards of innovation across standard and bespoke capital equipment development and manufacture

• Leadership and Team Development: Provide inspiring leadership, coach the management team and strengthen capability across finance, engineering, manufacturing, production and commercial functions

• Executive Stakeholder Reporting: Communicate forecasts, margins, financial performance, successes and challenges clearly to senior international stakeholders

• Commercial and International Strategy: Direct activity in response to changing international markets, regulation, compliance and trade requirements

• Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence: Support continuous improvement across engineering, manufacturing processes and project management

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

• Degree in Engineering or a similar discipline, plus an additional qualification such as an MBA, Chartered Engineer, Chartered Manager or Chartered Director

• Previous manufacturing or mechanical engineering experience and a successful track record in senior leadership within an engineering and/or manufacturing organisation

• Strong understanding of manufacturing performance indicators, in-house engineering, sales, international business and export trade

• Ability to identify and develop continuous improvement strategies across operations, engineering, manufacturing processes and project management

• Inspiring leadership style with the ability to engage colleagues at all levels and develop managers across multidisciplinary functions

• Strong commercial and business acumen with confidence working in a changing international environment

BENEFITS

• End‑year performance‑based bonus scheme
• Company car
• Laptop, mobile and home office setup where relevant
• Salary sacrifice pension plan with 7.5% employer contributions and death‑in‑service policy
• 28 days’ annual leave plus statutory days
• Private medical health scheme
• Cycle to Work salary sacrifice scheme
• Sports and social events
• Employee assistance programme
• Free lunch on site every other week
• Free fresh fruit

JOB REF: AWDO-P15188